self-governance

noun

self-gov·​er·​nance ˌself-ˈgə-vər-nən(t)s 

: self-government sense 2

Synonyms of self-governance

• autonomy
• sovereignty
• independence
• freedom

Examples of self-governance in a Sentence

despite pessimistic predictions, self-governance has worked out well for the former colony

Recent Examples on the Web

The United States was founded as an experiment in propositional citizenship, the idea that a nation could be bound not by race, ethnicity, or language but by fidelity to a set of principles—liberty, equality, self-governance, and inalienable rights. —Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, hundreds of people in Greenland’s capital braved near-freezing temperatures, rain and icy streets to march in a rally on Saturday in support of their own self-governance in the face of threats of an American takeover. —Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2026

Earlier Saturday, hundreds of people in Greenland’s capital braved near-freezing temperatures, rain and icy streets to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance. —Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026

In 2004, the agreement was updated to add Greenland, which established some self-governance in 1979, as a signatory. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-governance

• governance